Lilac Bloomsday Run

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Tech. Sgt. Eric Meza, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron, sports a self-decorated t-shirt displaying organizational pride at the Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane, Wash., May 4. Sergeant Meza started the race with Tech. Sgt. Ehrman and Tech. Sgt. Williams, also for the 92nd CES. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Jocelyn Ford)

Fairchild comes together at Bloomsday

Published May 6, 2008
By Senior Airman Jocelyn A. Ford
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Runners from all over the world gathered in Spokane May 4 to participate in the Lilac Bloomsday Run. Approximately 47,500 participants registered, which was up 500 from last year. More than 42,000 runners finished the race.

Fairchild had their share of runners participate. The 92nd Services Squadron posed a challenge to Fairchild to train for Bloomsday. More than 300 members accepted and logged miles they ran during the 11 week period before the day of the big race. The competition was between 12 squadrons, and of those the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron logged the most miles in excess of 3,000.

The challenge posed by 92nd SVS was a great success. 1st Lt. Lance Harris, 92nd CES, participated in the base challenge "along with the many other civil engineer members that kicked butt training for Bloomsday this year," he said. The lieutenant also stated, "I enjoy the race because it's a goal to get myself into good shape and the challenge of making a personal record at the race each year." This is the fourth year that Lieutenant Harris has run Bloomsday.

Bloomsday attracts all ages and some consider it a family event. Lt. Col. Michael Gaal, 92nd Operations Group commander, ran the race with his daughter Rachel. "I ran with her the length of the course as a mentor, coach and father," said Colonel Gaal. He and his daughter have been training for this year's event since they completed the race last year. They run regularly with Pepper, the family dog, on the weekends, and during the cold months Rachel trained on treadmills. She participated in many other local runs for training because Rachel had a personal goal to beat last year's time, which she did accomplish.

Though Fairchild had many runners in Bloomsday, they were not the only participats from the base. Approximately 200 Fairchild volunteers helped at the starting lines. The morning of Bloomsday, no matter where you looked, chances are there was a member of Team Fairchild in site.